ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Steel
Steel Minister Inaugurates First Six - lane Highway Road made of Steel Slag at Surat, Gujarat
Guidelines for Wide Use of Steel Slag in Road Construction to be Developed
Union Minister of Steel Sh. Ram Chandra Prasad Singh today inaugurated the first six lane highway road made by using Steel Slag at Surat, Gujrat to connect the port with the city. While inaugurating the road, the Minister impressed upon the need to promote circular economy and resource efficiency by converting all waste into wealth.
Recalling the words of the Prime Minister in his 15th August 2021 speech, Minister Sh Singh made special reference on the need to promote circular economy as the world is witnessing depletion of all types of natural resources. In such a scenario, circular economy is the demand of the hour and need to be made mandatory as a part of our lives. The road constructed by 100% use of steel processed slag is a real example of converting waste into wealth and improving sustainability of steel plants, he added. The Minister further said that the use of such material in road construction shall not only Increase durability but also help in reducing the cost of construction as slag-based materials are having better properties than natural aggregates. The experience gained from this road shall be utilized for developing detailed guidelines for widespread usages of steel slag in construction.
The Steel Minister further said that his Ministry is exploring all other options to utilize such materials in road construction, agriculture as a replacement to soil nutrients and fertilizers, ballast for railways and making green cement. Steel Ministry has already awarded several R&D projects for utilization of different types of slags generated during manufacturing of steel and majority of which are being considered as a liability. The road constructed by using steel slag is also part of the R&D project sponsored by the Ministry along with other major steel players.
The use of steel slag in road construction shall address the shortage of natural aggregates in the country as the production of steel slag in the country from different process routes is likely to increase from present by 2030.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles the passing away of former Assam CM Shri Tarun Gogoi
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the demise of former Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Tarun Gogoi.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "Shri Tarun Gogoi Ji was a popular leader and a veteran administrator, who had years of political experience in Assam as well as the Centre. Anguished by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and supporters in this hour of sadness. Om Shanti."
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh releases DRDO Procurement Manual 2020
To encourage more participation of Indian industry, including Start-ups and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises  in Defence Research & Development  for achieving ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh released a new version of Defence Research and Development Organisation  Procurement Manual 2020  here today.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Rajnath Singh said, “The new DRDO Procurement Manual will facilitate the indigenous Defence Industry by simplifying the processes and ensure their participation in design and development activities. The PM-2020 will help towards realising Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s dream of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’." He appreciated the contribution of all the officials of DRDO and Finance wing in the Ministry of Defence for their contribution in bringing out the revised PM-2020.
The PM-2020, will facilitate faster execution of R&D projects/programmes. The modified features the Manual will go a long way to facilitate participation of industry in various R&D projects.
Bid security declaration option for earnest money deposit, increase of threshold limit for advance payment, placement of order on lowest bidder 2  in case L1 backs out are some of the salient features of the new manual, which will assist the industry for the speedy execution of projects.
Some more enabling measures of PM-2020 are exemption of bid security and performance security up to Rs 10 lakh, no negotiations for commercial off-the-shelf  items/services wherever price discovery is happening through market forces.
Performance security for service contracts is linked to the payment cycle instead of total contract value. Procurement of stores from development partners, safeguarding of free issue material through insurance cover instead of bank guarantee  are other facilitating measures adopted to help the industry.
In the new PM-2020, the liquidated damage  rate for development contracts has been reduced. The delivery period  extension process has been simplified for faster decision making. Many of the internal procedures have been further simplified for faster engagement with industry. It may be noted that the previous Procurement Manual of DRDO was last modified in 2016.
Those present on the occasion included Secretary Department of Defence Research & Development and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary  SmtGargi Kauland other senior officials of Ministry of Defence.
ABB/Nampi/KA/DK
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Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Four Information Commissioners take oath of office in Central Information Commission
Four Information Commissioners namely Shri Yashvardhan Kumar Sinha, Smt. Vanaja N Sarna, Shri Neeraj Kumar Gupta and Shri Suresh Chandra were administered the oath of office of the Information Commissioner, Central Information Commission by the Chief Information Commissioner, Shri Sudhir Bhargava, here today.
With their induction, the total number of Information Commissioners in the Central Information Commission including Chief Information Commissioner has gone upto 7.
Ministry of Defence
REAR ADMIRAL SANDEEP MEHTA TAKES OVER AS FOMA
Rear Admiral Sandeep Mehta, VSM, assumed office as the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area  at Mumbai on 16 December 21. The formal handing and taking over ceremony was held at INS Kunjali, where he was presented a Guard of Honour at a ceremonial parade.
Rear Admiral Mehta was commissioned on 01 January 1989, in the Executive branch of the Indian Navy. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla and a graduate from the Army War College, Mhow. He was on diplomatic assignment as Defence and Naval Attaché at the Embassy of India, Washington  prior his promotion to the Flag rank.
His educational qualifications include a Masters degree in Nautical Science and Tactical Operations, M Phil degree in Defence and Strategic Studies and a PG Diploma in management studies.
A recipient of the Vishisht Seva Medal, the Admiral has held several key command appointments in his naval career including command of a coastal minesweeper, INS Allepey, landing ship tank INS Guldar, and the guided missile destroyer INS Delhi. He has also served as Navigating Officer of IN ships Sukanya and Jyoti. His early assignments include tenures onbord Indian naval ships Ranvijay, Shardul, Chapal and Vibhuti and the commissioning Executive Officer of the corvette INS Kirch.
His important staff appointments include Command Operations Officer at HQSNC, Chief Staff Officer to NAVCC , Joint Director, Director and Principal Director in the Directorate of Naval Operations, Director in the Directorate of Naval Plans at Naval Headquarters and Chief Staff Officer  at Headquarters Western Naval Command. He was the Chief Instructor  at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington prior to assuming his current assignment as Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area.
MK/VM/JSN
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Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Electrical Safety and Efficiency Audit to be Conducted at SEEPZ SEZ
Electrical Safety Awareness Workshop held at SEEPZ to improve electrical safety and energy efficiency
: Mumbai, March 21, 2022
Electrical safety and efficiency audit will be conducted in the next six months at the Santacruz Electronic Export Processing Zone  Special Economic Zone  in Mumbai. With the primary objective of electrical safety, the energy audit will not only assess safety measures in place but also on the measures taken to reduce energy efficient power devices. A request for the same was made by Mr. Shyam Jagannathan, Zonal Development Commissioner, SEEPZ to the Central Electricity Authority  on Monday on the occasion of Electrical Safety Awareness Workshop organised at SEEPZ SEZ.
“We request everyone at the SEZ to confirm safety certifications as prescribed by the Central Electricity Authority,” said Shri Jagannathan.
“In India, daily, on an average, there are 5-6 fatal accidents that are related to electricity. Comparatively, in the developed countries, there are 1-2 fatal incidents annually. Hence, safety compliances are necessary,” said Shri L. K. S. Rathore, Director, Regional Inspectorate Office , CEA.
Sharing more light on the number of incidents and the causes behind it, Shri Ramesh Kumar, Chief Engineer, CEA said, “The total number of fatal and non-fatal incidents put together are very high at 40,000 cases, the annual fatal accidents are around 2,000. Majority of these incidents are due to coming in contact with low voltage power. The reasons vary right from defective insulation, lack or improper earthing of electrical equipment, unauthorised work, poor wiring, undersized wires and cables, moisture in switch boards, and coming in contact with conductors, among others. In other words, it is due to neglect of safety measures.”
As per statistics on electrical accidents in India, year-on-year there has been continuous decline in incidents despite higher penetration of power and more users. The declining trend is due to increase in awareness among the people.
The workshop at SEEPZ SEZ included technical sessions wherein the participants were sensitised on electrical safety precautions and practices required.
“The abundant usage of electricity in our daily activities at home, office and public places is associated with a certain degree of risk to life and property. As incidents occur without warning, vigilance is a must as a preventive measure. Since potential danger from power cannot be seen, heard or smelt, it is the preventive and safety measures that one has to ensure at all places. Today’s sensitisation programme will help in raising the safety bar at SEEPZ SEZ,” said C. P. S. Chauhan, Joint Development Commissioner, SEEPZ SEZ.
The workshop was attended by Zonal Development Commissioner Shyam Jagannathan , Joint Development Commissioner C.P. Singh Chauhan, Deputy Development Commissioner Anurag Agarwal, Specified Officer Anil Chaudhary, CEA Director L. K. S. Rathore Arun Chaudhary, CEA Chief Engineer Ramesh Kumar, CEA Deputy Director P. Peddi Reddy, Deputy Director B. Venkata Sandeep, CEA Assistant Director Vikram Thorat.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets people on Makar Sankranti
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the people on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"मकर संक्रांति की मंगलकामनाएं।"
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Policy for providing preference to domestically manufactured iron & steel products in government procurement
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the policy for providing preference to domestically manufactured iron & steel products on Government procurement
This policy seeks to accomplish the PM's vision of 'Make in India' with objective of nation building and encourage encourage domestic manufacturing.
The policy mandates to provide preference to Domestically Manufactured Iron & Steel Products , in Government Procurement. The policy is applicable on all government tenders where price bid is yet to be opened,
DMI&SP policy provides a minimum value addition of 15% in notified steel products which are covered under preferential procurement. In order to provide flexibility, Ministry of Steel may review specified steel products and the minimum value addition criterion.
While implementing who shall provide the policy, it poses trust on each domestic manufacturer who shall provide self-certification to the procuring Government agency declaring that the iron & steel products are domestically manufactured in terms of the domestic value addition prescribed. It shall not normally be the responsibility of procuring agency to verify the correctness of the claim. In few cases, the onus of demonstrating the correctness-of the same shall be on the bidder when asked to do so.
In case any manufacturer is aggrieved, a grievance redressal committee set up under the Ministry op Steel shall dispose of the complaint in a time bound manner, in four weeks
There are provisions in the policy for waivers to all such procurements, where specific grades of steel are not manufactured in the country, or the quantities as per the demand of the project cannot be met through domestic sources.
The policy is envisaged to promote growth and development of domestic steel Industry and reduce the inclination to use, low quality low cost imported steel in Government funded projects. It shall be the responsibility of every Government Agency to ensure implementation of the policy.
Ministry of Defence
KEEL LAYING OF FIRST OF CLASS - DIVING SUPPORT CRAFT AT M/S TITAGARH WAGONS LTD, KOLKATA
Keel laying for the first ship of Diving Support Craft  project was held on 27 Jan 22 in virtual presence of reps from the Indian Navy, at M/s Titagarh Wagons Ltd., Kolkata. The contract for procurement of Five Diving Support Crafts  for the Indian Navy was signed in Feb 21 with M/s Titagarh Wagons Ltd.
The ships will be commissioned in the Indian Navy to provide diving assistance for ships inside and close to harbour, for underwater repairs, maintenance and salvage. The ships will be fitted with state-of-the-art diving equipment and tools for performing the diving operations.
With all main and auxiliary equipment sourced from indigenous manufacturers, these ships are proud flag bearers of Make in India initiatives of the Ministry of Defence.
ABB/VM/PS
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Special Service and Features
Pondicherry University English Department Faculty gets International award and publishes a translation by Sahitya Akademi
Dr. Ujjwal Jana, Associate Professor of English, Pondicherry University, has been awarded with Hungarian state scholarship in the academic year 2021-2022 funded by Tempus Foundation of Government of Hungary. This will allow Dr. Jana pursue collaborative Research Project in the Institute of English and American Studies, Debrecan University, Hungary from June 2022 to July 2022. He is leaving for Hungary on June 10,2022 to start his collaborative research project. Also Dr. Jana authored a new book titled ‘Notun Prithibi, which is published in December 2021 by the Sahitya Akademi, India’s national academy of letters. This book is Bengali translation of Amit Chaudhuri’s Sahitya Akademi Award-winning English novel, A New World . Dr. Jana thanks India’s premier literary institution, Sahitya Akademi for giving him an opportunity to do this translation work.
Dr. Ujjwal jana has been working in the area of Indian Poetics, Critical Humanities, and Translation Studies. He has published several research papers in peer reviewed national & international journals. Under his supervision, 3 students were awarded PhD, who are all placed well in academic positions in the country and several MA students have successfully completed the research projects. At present 5 research students are doing the research for their doctoral degree under his supervision. He was a Fulbright visiting Lecturer, India studies program, Indiana University, Bloomington, USA in 2007-2008. He was nominated for Commonwealth Academic Staff Feloowship in UK for the year 2013. He has been awarded the Sahitya AkademyTravel Grants Award in 2014. He was visiting faculty in Department of English, Leipzig University in 2014sponsored by  and . He was a visiting faculty in the Department of English, University of johannesburg, South Africa, sponsored by,lndia and  South Africa in 2017. He has been awarded with the MHRD, Govt of India Funded International Collaborative Project in Digital Humanities in Indian Rimunder SPARC  to collaborate with Western Sydney University, Australia for 2019-2021. He was selected for Faculty Mobility Award sponsored by Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute and Ministry of Human Resource Development for 2020-2021.
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Gurmeet Singh, Pondicherry University has congratulates Dr. jana and felicities Dr. Jana for receiving the prestigious award from the Govt of Hungary and publishing the Bengali translation of Sahitya Akademi Award-winning English novel
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Ministry of Electronics & IT
UIDAI seeds 10.97 million Aadhaars with mobile numbers in February, 93% more than January
Aadhaar authentication transactions jump over 13% to cross 226 crore in February
Over 10.97 million mobile numbers were seeded in Aadhaar following requests from residents in the month of February 2023, a jump of more than 93 per cent over the previous month.
According to the Unique Identification Authority of India , while 5.67 million mobile numbers were seeded following residents application, the number saw a significant climb in February.
The UIDAI has been encouraging residents to link their Aadhaar with mobile number for better and effective communication while availing welfare services and accessing multitude of voluntary services.
The jump is indicative of UIDAI’s continuous encouragement, facilitation, and residents’ willingness to keep their mobile number updated for availing various services. Nearly, 1700 Central and State social welfare direct benefit tansfer  and good governance schemes have been notified for use of Aadhaar.
There is a growing adoption and usage of Aadhaar across sectors in India. In the month of February alone, 226.29 crore number of Aadhaar authentication transactions were executed, more than 13 per cent growth over January when 199.62 crore such transactions were carried out.
Cumulatively, 9,255.57 crore Aadhaar authentication transactions have been executed so far, by the end of February 2023. While a majority of the authentications transaction numbers were carried out by using fingerprint, it is followed by demographic and OTP.
Similarly, Aadhaar e-KYC service continues to play a stellar role for banking and non-banking financial services by providing transparent and improved customer experience, and helping in ease of doing business. More than 26.79 crore e-KYC transactions were carried out in the month of February.
Adoption of e-KYC has reduced customer acquisition cost of entities like financial institutions, telecom service providers and others. Cumulatively, Aadhaar e-KYC transactions so far has gone past 1,439.04 crore by the end of February.
Whether it is AePS for last mile banking, Aadhaar enabled DBT for direct fund transfer, e-KYC for identity verification, or authentications, Aadhaar has been playing a key role in supporting the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Digital India, and enabling ease of living for residents.
During the past decade, Aadhaar number has emerged as a proof of identity of residents in India and it is being used for availing several government schemes and services. Residents who had got their Aadhaar issued 10 years ago, and have never updated after that in these years, such Aadhaar number holders are encouraged to get their documents updated.
RKJ
(Visitor Counter : 2977
Prime Minister's Office
Telephone conversation between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the President of the Republic of Indonesia H. E. Joko Widodo
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi made a telephone call to the President of the Republic of Indonesia H. E. Joko Widodo today.
The Prime Minister offered deepest condolences on his behalf and on behalf of the people of India on the loss of precious lives in the recent earthquake and tsunami that hit the Sulawesi region of Indonesia.
The Prime Minister appreciated the resilience and courage of the people of Indonesia in facing the challenges emanating from the wide spread devastation due to this grave natural calamity.
In response to Indonesia's appeal for international aid, the Prime Minister offered to the President of Indonesia all possible assistance from India as a maritime neighbour and friend of Indonesia.
President Widodo thanked the Prime Minister for the condolence and the offer of assistance.
The two leaders agreed that the details of India's relief assistance will be worked out through diplomatic and official channels.
Ministry of Law and Justice
TWENTY SECOND LAW COMMISSION
The Government has constituted the 22nd Law Commission of India for a period of three year with effect from 21st February, 2020.The term of 22nd Law Commission has since been extended upto 31stAugust, 2024. The composition of 22ndLaw Commission of India as under:
 a full-time Chairperson;
 four full-time Members ;
 Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs as ex officio Member;
 Secretary, Legislative Department as ex officio Member; and
 not more than five part-time Members.
The Government has appointed Chairperson, four Full-time Members  and two Part-time Members in the 22nd Law Commission of India.
This information was given by the Minister of Law and Justice, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Indian visa or stay stipulation period of foreign nationals stranded in India due to COVID-19 pandemic to be considered as deemed to be valid till 31.08.2021
Due to non-availability of normal commercial flight operations on account of the COVID-19 pandemic since March 2020, a number of foreign nationals who came to India prior to March 2020 on valid Indian visas had got stranded in India. Keeping in view the difficulties being faced by such foreign nationals in getting their visas extended in India due to the lockdown, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs  had issued an order on 29.06.2020 conveying that the Indian Visa or stay stipulation period of such foreign nationals expiring post 30.06.2020 shall be deemed to be valid until 30 more days from the date of resumption of normal international flight operations, on gratis basis. However, such foreign nationals have been applying for extension of their visas or stay stipulation period on a monthly basis.
The matter has now been reconsidered by the MHA in the light of non- resumption of normal commercial flight operations, and it has accordingly been decided that the Indian visa or stay stipulation period of such foreign nationals stranded in India will be considered as deemed to be valid till 31.08.2021 on gratis basis without levy of any overstay penalty. These foreign nationals will not be required to submit any application to the FRRO/FRO concerned for extension of their visas.
Such foreign nationals may apply for an exit permission to the FRRO/FRO concerned before exiting the country, which would be granted on gratis basis without levy of any overstay penalty.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Rs 3000 crore allocated for Ministry of DoNER in General Budget 2019-20
The Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2019-20 in Parliament here today.
The Budget Estimates for Ministry of Development of North Easter Region for FY 2019-20 is Rs 3,000 crore as compared to the RE of Rs 2629 crore in FY 2018-19.
Outlay of major schemes:

Schemes 2018-19  2019-20 
North East Special Infrastructure
Development Scheme  140 695
Schemes of North Eastern Council 607 580
Central Pool of Resources for NE&Sikkim 781 531
North East Road Sector Dev Scheme 391 666